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Raymond Weil Freelancer 43mm Automatic Mens Watch
Ref. 4701045825
The Freelancer line arrived in 2007 as Raymond Weil's answer to a particular kind of wearer — someone who wanted a properly mechanical watch that sat comfortably in a working week rather than on a dresser. This reference, with its black dial and Arabic numerals against a steel case, sits squarely in that tradition: high-contrast and immediately legible, without any of the decorative flourishes that push some of the brand's other collections toward formal occasions. On the wrist, the 42mm round case reads as substantial without tipping into sport-watch territory, and the multi-link bracelet keeps the proportions grounded. The black dial earns its keep in angled or low light, where the luminous markers pull ahead of busier dials that rely on finer indices.
- Reference
- 4701045825
- Brand
- Raymond Weil
- Collection
- Freelancer
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Ex-display
- Retailer
- Mappin & Webb
Learn more about Raymond Weil
Raymond Weil founded his company in Geneva in 1976, which was close to the worst possible moment: Swiss mechanical watchmaking was being dismantled by quartz, and established houses were closing. Starting one from nothing took a particular kind of nerve.
The company survived and stayed independent, which is rarer than it sounds — most Swiss names of comparable size were absorbed into Swatch Group, Richemont or LVMH. Raymond Weil is still owned and run by the founding family, with his grandson Elie Bernheim as chief executive.
Music runs through the brand deliberately rather than decoratively. The collections are named for it — Maestro, Toccata, Tango, Freelancer — and the company has built long partnerships with orchestras, conservatoires and record labels.
The watches sit where Swiss watchmaking is still attainable: slim dress pieces, chronographs and skeletonised automatics, mostly on Sellita and ETA calibres, with the Millesime line taking a more vintage-minded direction in recent years.
- 1976
- Founded in Geneva at the height of the quartz crisis.
- 1983
- The Amadeus line begins the brand's association with music.
- 1996
- The Parsifal collection establishes its dress-watch identity.
- 2014
- Elie Bernheim, the founder's grandson, becomes CEO.
- 2022
- The Millesime line moves the range in a vintage direction.
Also in 4 collections
This watch appears in the Raymond Weil Freelancer range (18), Stainless Steel Watches (3,197), Automatic Watches (1,736) and Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (344).
Best of 2 retailers
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Raymond Weil Freelancer alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 4701045825 | CM3090C-L1J-BK | 01 774 7661 4424-07 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,645 | £1,755 | £1,795 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 44mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Rubber strap |
| Power reserve | — | 38 hours | 48 hours |
| This watch | Closely matched |
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedIs it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Both Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths list it at £1,645, so choose on delivery and warranty rather than price.
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